Yesterday morning I ground some more of that wheat from 1999 for pancakes to keep everyone's appetite satiated since we were hittin' the slopes. We didn't get to go last year, so the kids were especially anticipating the trip. Michael Jr drove us all the way up. There was excitement in the air when we saw from afar the white peaks after the weekend snow.
It was a pristine day, crisp and clear, hovering in the 30s. The wind was strong enough to strow the styrofoam cups I'd brought all over the parking lot. We had everyone, sunscreened and chapsticked up, or so we thought.
We had a plan, that Melody would assist Madalynn on her first outing in skiis, that Macklynn would stay near them on the easy courses, and that Michael would do his own thing for a while and then pair up with Macklynn. McKala couldn't ski since she'd cut her finger with the new Case knife she bought and had to have stitches, with no tears I might add! (I can't laugh; I did nearly the same thing.) She was consoled easily by Jake's spending the day with us. We only wished Miranda could've been there and that Megan gets to one day. (About the time we started going, 6 or 7 years ago, Megan had begun working already.)
Madalynn clung to Melody, making it almost impossible for her to have any fun. I had tossed around the idea of trying it myself this time, but couldn't find my snow pants and resigned not to. However, McKala said, "Just do it, before it's too late." You see, I've NEVER done it. I've always been pregnant, nursing, or chasing around a toddler. The last time we went Madalynn face planted a bench and fell out of a chair. It was one of those days I'd just soon forget, except for the conversation I had with an ambassador's wife about the antiquated/industrial reason for school and why they homeschool.
Anyway, I had to rent a snow bib and get rigged up to ski. I didn't see much reason to take the class that was part of the package of "Homeschool Ski Day". I'd get over on the "bunny" course and help Madalynn a little. I mean, I have good coordination and all. I can throw a ball, hit a target, swim, water ski,
dance enough to hold my own.
I didn't even make it to the conveyor to get up TO the bunny hill. I hit a slick spot and was down in a millisecond and had no idea whatsoever how to get back up. As people went around me, one nice lady said to just release the boots to stand. Madalynn had gained confidence and went up without me, even though she hadn't gone down by herself yet. When I tried last night to ensure McKala hadn't taken pictures of the scene, she told me their view was blocked but that Madalynn, on her way up, called to them on the balcony and proclaimed matter-of-factly, "She fell and can't get up!" Thankfully, the lady who kindly gave me advice also waited with Madalynn at the top.
I finally just carried the skiis up the belt. The hill didn't look so high from the bottom ...but I knew there was only one way down. I had envisioned that I'd put Madalynn and her skiis between mine like so many other parents sweetly do. There was no way in Hades that was going to happen and of course, we fell half way down the dissent, clamouring for each other.
If you want to be knocked off your pedestal of pride, just try something you've never done in front of everybody. I could say that I stink at skiing and that would be ladylike, but I'm gonna say here that the reality is I suck at it! I have never tried anything that I just couldn't do. Everyone says benevolently that I just need practice. Not likely!
It made me want to retreat and retrieve the swagger of the sun I'd gotten, my down vest and cute boots with the rabbit fur gloves that the kids bought me for Christmas. You see, that's my ground, the lodge, knowing every song on the Classic Rewind from Sirius Radio: The Cars, Van Halen, The Black Crowes, Santana. And, yeah, that's my kid out there. And, yeah, trying to prove to the other moms "I still got it" ...though in actuality, my 7 kids got the best of me.
As I was about to bail, they announced that the beginner's class was starting again. Uh, yeah, better do that! Madalynn and I eventually made it over there and spent an hour learning the basics. And, yeah, she caught on way better than I did. The generous young woman of a teacher said it was just that I wasn't committing. I was thinking, yeah, I've been pregnant more than 63 months of my life, trying NOT to jeopardize my footing ...so, yeah, this was uncomfortable for me. I really enjoyed her though and am glad to say I tried it.
In my oblivious state, I didn't know that Michael had already escorted Macklynn down one of the big slopes. They spent the next 2 hours going up and down it together. I have a whole new respect for their abilities and courage, all the kids'. Melody was right there with her brothers. She busted it, got up and kept goin'.
After the class, I was done for; so Madalynn and I went to disrobe from the gear. I decided we'd do that in the locker room, instead of the bathroom, and made a quick turnaround. As I was putting my boots back on, 2 men came in. They turned around quickly but came back laughing. They said they thought I was in the wrong room and they were right! As we were laughing hysterically about it, another man came in and exited ultrafast when he saw me. Still laughing, I told him, "It's okay!" HE didn't think it was okay. Just wish I'd had a camera for the look on his face.
When everyone finished up, by Macklynn's invitation we sat reclined in a semicircle around the fireplace and talked, until Madalynn wouldn't permit it anymore. She was seriously tired and had been copping an attitude all afternoon. On our way, we passed the outdoor ice skating rink. Madalynn had really wanted to skate but I told her I wasn't going to reward her with it. McKala said it was the only thing she'd really wanted to do. Macklynn was game, especially since he'd just drunk one of the giant Cokes I'd gotten them from McDonald's. They were all jacked up on caffeine and ready to fork out some more money. I have to say the FIREPIT sold me.
So, there we were in the dark and the splendor of the backdrop of Ski Mountain. No skating for me. I sat by the fire, took pictures, and soaked up the kids' interaction: having a blast, whole rink to themselves, going round and round to the Sirius 80s lineup. And, yeah, I knew all those songs too, whether I was a fan back then or not. They snuck in some 38 Special ...so, yeah, Melody and I sang along, to each other across the way, "So Caught Up in You, Little Girl" and "Hold on Loosely".
Watching them was a time when I could've gloated in pride as a parent: all the help they gave each other throughout the day, all the things they accomplished. BUT pride is never, not even in a parental way, a good thing. "Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord ..." ~ Proverb 16: 5. Now you say, "BUT ..." What? Do you or I think that we have earned what is good, that God did something for us that He wouldn't do for another? No, being "proud" of our children should be nothing more than JOY that we are a part of it. Why do I deserve better than what the father, of the sweetheart girl we met last week, has? She's a small 15 year old with serious limitations but with an exact awareness of what's going on. Mike and I agreed that she was the happiest person we'd seen in a while, smile permeating the room, reaching out to her father for reassurance every few minutes. He has a beautiful thing and we have a beautiful thing. Ours is no greater than his, so we have nothing to be proud about. If anything, how can we not exhort our children to use their endowments to provide for ones less fortunate - true charity, the opposite of pride.
On the drive home, I thanked God earnestly that none of us were hurt and that tredipation still has a place in my life. As we came up the drive, a big possum crossed our path. Although Michael was dead tired, he lay in wait for it to come out of the culvert, to kill it before it killed our chickens. Since we bedded down after midnight, I tried to let them each wake on their own this morning. And they have one at a time, risen with red faces and sore bodies. But, alas, I had to wake Michael because Patty, the pig, was on the loose. Thus another day begins.
No comments:
Post a Comment